Gyroscopic power transmission



1945. D. T. WILLIAMS GYROSCOPIC POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. 9, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Fa/w TWZZMWZG Dec. 4,1945. D. T. WILLIAMS GYROSG OPIC POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. 9, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Jam 7." )Vallz'ams Dec. 4, 1945. w s 2,390,341

- GYROSCOPIC POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. 9, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor M TIVJZZZW 24.60 m WWW Patented Dec. 4, 1945 GYROSCOPIC POWER TRANSMISSION Dan '1. Williams, Robinson, 111., assignor of onefourth to Gerald W. Miller, Oblong, 111., and one-sixteenth to Chas. E. Jones, Robinson, Ill.

Application September 9, 1943, Serial No. 501,709

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in escapements for time pieces and other moving mechanism, the principal object being to provide a gyroscopic control for accurately releasing energy.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a gyroscopic escapement for time pieces and the like which is self-starting and has no dead center.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a gyroscopic escapement which has no back lash and which can be used at any altitude and in any temperature.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention. will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the escapement.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view.

Figure 4 is an end elevation view looking at the power input side of the device.

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevationa1 view looking at the opposite side from that shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the device may have a suitable base or panel 5 on which are uprights 6, 1. Numeral 8 denotes an elongated main frame having an enlarged intermediate portion a, one end of. this frame having a cross member 9 (see Figure 2) to accommodate one end of a shaft I 8 which extends through the adjacent end of the frame 8*and is equipped with an input gear I l with which the main spring of a watch or other power source is geared. The shaft l8 extends through the upright 6 and thus supports one end of the main frame 8.

The other end of the main frame 8 has a shaft extension l0, which passes through a bearing l2 in the upright 1 and is equipped with an input gear l3 from which the power is taken.

The inner end of the shaft II] is equipped with a gear l4 which meshes with a segmental gear l5 and this segmental gear I5 is supported by an arm IE on which is secured a bracket or inner frame l1. Within the frame or bracket I! are mounted a pair of parallel disks or wheels [8, l9 which are adapted to rotate in opposite directions.

The iimer frame or bracket I1 is supported by a stub shaft 30, Figure 5, which carries a bevel gear 23 and extends through one side of the inner frame or bracket IT. A second shaft 28 extends through the segment arm 16 and through the adjacent side of the frame 8 and at its inner end has a bevel gear 2| which meshes with bevel gears 22, 23 secured on the disks l8 and IS.

The shaft 20, extending through the adjacent side of the frame 8, is equipped with a gear 24 meshing with the teeth of a stationary ring gear 25 which circumscribes the frame 8 and is supported and secured by a suitable bracket or standard 28 on the base or panel 5.

A coiled spring 21 has one end secured to the shaft 28 and the other end anchored as at 8a to the adjacent side of the frame 8.

New in describing the operation of the gyroscopic power transmission, it is to be understood that the two small disks I8, 19 are situated in spaced parallel planes and rotate constantly in opposite direction and at the same time their planes of rotation are being proportionately changed in a rotary movement, which change of plane rotation, at normal speed, furnishes a resistance many times greater than the combined weight of the disks and the inner frame or bracket ll. It is preferable that two disks be employed instead of one as this compounds the gyroscope to eliminate any planetary tendencies. The moving part of the transmission has a stabilizing effect built on differential principle, so that when properly balanced, it operates on the second hand (Of a clock mechanism) simultaneously with any varied impulse on the rotary resistance, thereby affording isochronism, the degree of which is only limited to the degree of precision building.

The input shaft l0 receives its force from the main spring (not shown) through gear ll of a clock mechanism or other energy and rotates clockwise, transmitting its power through the segmental gear l5, swinging the entire inner frame or bracket I! (see Figure 2). It will be observed that the segmental gear I5 is engaged by a gear M on the shaft I 0. Stationarily disposed around the main frame 8 and supported by the base is the ring gear 25 which meshes with the pinion 24. The pinion 24 is secured on the shaft 28 and in operation serves to actuate a differential 2la turning the disks l8, IS, the differential involving the gears 2|, 22 and 23. (See Figure 5.) The disks through the agency of this differential are operated in opposite directions to each other, thus compounding the gyroscopic action.

On one side of the main frame 8 is shown a spring 21 having its ends secured, respectively, at 8a on the frame 8 and on shaft 20, adjustable as to tension for regulating the retardation of the mechanism by slightly changing the degree of angle of the oppositely rotating disks [8, l9.

Through the above mechanism, the output gear i3 runs at uniform speed regardless of the tension of the clock main spring.

Any sudden increase in input power on the shaft HI would jerk segment l5 and bracket IT, changing the angle of plane of rotation of the disks l8, [9 to provide greater resistance and. at

the same time operate through thedifierentiaI 2la to absorb any extra speed before itreaches the output gear I3. The same effect is produced in reverse, if the input power through gear H should be gradually or suddenly diminished.

While the foregoing specification sets'forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is: I

1. A gyroscopic power transmission of the character described comprising a power input element, a power output element, a main frame carrying said input and output elementsin axial alignment, a, stationary gear adjacent to which the frame rotates, a separate assembly including a shaft revolubly restrained and positioned across the main frame, means operable in response to relative rotation between the frame and the sta- 'carrying saidinput and output elements in axial alignment, a stationary gear adjacent to which the frame rotates, a, separate assembly including a shaft revolubly restrained and positioned across the main frame, means operable in response to relative rotation between the frame and the stationary gear, to operate the separate assembly, a gyroscopic unit controlled by said separate assembly and a segmental gear carried by the gyroscopic unit and geared to the power input element for changing the plane of rotation of the rosoopic unit at the occurrence of any variance in the speed of the input element, said gyroscopic unit being composed of a pair 0f rotary elements, rotating in opposite directions in parallel planes and operated by said separate assembly, and said shaft restraining consisting of resilient means between said stationary gear and the main frame adjustable for changing the angularity of said elements.

DAN T. WILLIAMS. 

